Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas takes another look at David Moyes' squad rotation approach in light of Monday night's display against Manchester City
Merlin Rohl during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Merlin Rohl during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
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So much of the recent discourse around David Moyes has been around the use of his squad and the handling of some of his younger players and new signings.
Much of that was inevitable as results dipped after the international break interrupted the momentum that peaked with the smashing of Chelsea. We have seen that when results have been difficult Moyes’ decisions, as to be expected, have come under more scrutiny - think of that run of Autumn games before the Fulham win and the tough January in which the struggles at Hill Dickinson bit hard.
On every occasion this season, Everton have bounced back. Maybe the draw on Monday does not quite represent the comeback it looked set to be with seconds to go, but that Everton remain in with a chance of Europe with three games to go represents real progress. And Moyes, whether or not he has appeared stubborn at times, deserves credit for leading a team in the early stages of a dramatic transition to that position.
The reality is that, when judging the Blues boss’ accomplishments in 18 months at the helm, you have to assess the full picture. Picking apart his approach is largely pointless as it is impossible to predict the consequences then set in motion.
I say that with his squad usage in mind. I have asked him questions about this all season and I, with many supporters, have wondered why some players have seemed so far from contention at various points in the season. In recent weeks I have openly questioned whether more changes in the second halves of games would have made Everton stronger. On one hand, the concession of three consecutive game-changing goals in stoppage time is quite a strong indication that some things could have been done better. But, in all fairness, Moyes’ approach led to events unfolding the other way at Brentford - where he made proactive changes with the game level and oversaw a late equaliser in Everton’s favour.
Moyes’ approach led to the team coming from behind in all four second halves since Chelsea as well as that sensational 30 minutes that saw Everton blow one of the best teams in the world apart on Monday and the very good first half an hour against Liverpool.
Even if I was at my most critical, I would have to accept that while Everton have only taken two points from four big games, they have been seconds away from that being six very useful points. Those four lost points have been in the last three games. One was against the title holders, one against the team who could well have taken that crown before being undone on the banks of the Mersey, and one against a side loaded with talent that is scrapping for its Premier League survival.
Everton should have had penalties in all three of those matches and there is a particularly cruel irony in Liverpool’s winner and Manchester City’s equaliser each coming in time added on because - in both games - Everton’s best players were forced off before the end with injuries.
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As good as Monday was, at times, it does not mean Everton are ‘back’. And just because some of the squad players excelled against City, it does not mean they could or should not have had more chances.
But the influence of Tim Iroegbunam and Merlin Rohl against a rampant City side with everything to play for does matter and offers Moyes a route to some vindication. His position is strengthened further by the post-match comments of Rohl after his lung-busting display down the right wing.
From outside Finch Farm, Rohl’s story has been of completely disappearing from view after strong performances either side of the new year in which he started and played well in excellent wins at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. Moyes has repeatedly spoken highly of him but his praise jarred with his lack of minutes, even if Everton’s midfield was settled and performing well for a chunk of that period. His lack of chances appeared peculiar and it was hard to imagine Rohl being happy with his lot on a loan deal that is set to become permanent in the summer.
And yet after his surprise inclusion and excellent display, he told journalists after the game how he was content at the club and how he felt “trusted” by Moyes. That comfort within the squad shone through with his impact against City and Moyes' comments days earlier - that being patient would have benefitted Rohl as he adapted - suddenly appeared less of a red flag.
Another of the star performers on Monday - indeed the man of the match - was Tim Iroegbunam. The midfielder entered this season with a question over his value to the squad and that seemed to intensify when he was withdrawn at half-time after a difficult 45 minutes in the home mauling by Newcastle United. It would have been easy for him to have then crumbled and struggled to make an impact for months.
Instead, Moyes took his time and introduced him at Bournemouth, where he was crucial to a massive away win. Iroegbunam suddenly looks trusted by Moyes, who at times has chosen to move James Garner - one of the best-performing central midfielders in the Premier League this season - out of position and place faith in the 22-year-old. Iroegbunam has now started both games against Arsenal and the home matches with both Manchester sides. There is interest in him this summer - as there was in January - but he has quietly emerged as the ‘go-to- midfielder when Idrissa Gueye has been absent, as he will be again at Crystal Palace.
Other squad players have had moments, too. Harrison Armstrong was brought back from his loan spell with Preston and has had few minutes recently. But he also clocked up valuable experience against Man Utd at Hill Dickinson Stadium and at Brighton and Fulham. Thierno Barry’s turbulent season saw him score two valuable goals on Monday just days after Moyes had opted to defend the 23-year-old when he had licence to call for more.
Dwight McNeil spent much of this season outside of Moyes’ plans but, like with the others, contributed effectively when he was called upon - suggesting there must have been some buy-in from him even as he struggled for minutes. McNeil’s continued inclusion since Chelsea came under increasing pressure but he was brought into the side for a big win at Newcastle, then came close to leading Everton to a positive result at Arsenal and started the wins over Burnley and Chelsea. Chelsea loanee Tyrique George has provided positive contributions at Fulham, Brentford and West Ham.
The instinct may be to look at the lack of minutes some promising players have had in a small squad that has struggled at times this season. But while they could have contributed more, Moyes has typically got a song from them when he has had the opportunity to pick when to introduce them. We know from the likes of Jack Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner that Moyes is well-liked by a senior core of the squad - there is evidence to suggest the younger prospects are more embedded than their minutes suggest.
That does not mean to say there are not outliers - Adam Aznou and Tyler Dibling are yet to breakthrough for instance. The impact of the likes of Rohl and Iroegbunam on Monday suggest Moyes’ approach can work, though, and still could with them.